Articles tagged with Earth Systems Science
A recent study found that greenhouse gases from human activity and warmer North Atlantic Ocean temperatures contributed to the Northeast's increased extreme precipitation since 1996. The research used global climate model simulations and statistical methods to isolate the causes of the increase.
Scientists warn of unprecedented climate-related disasters and environmental degradation, highlighting the need for drastic reductions in greenhouse gases and transformational system changes. They advocate for a globally implemented carbon price, phase-out of fossil fuels, and strategic climate reserves to safeguard biodiversity.
EarthLab aims to simulate physical climate, environmental, and ecological systems for better predicting natural disasters and understanding Earth's spheres. The facility will enable researchers to predict Earth systems on a vast time and spatial scale.
Mineral nanoparticles exhibit enzyme-like properties, catalyzing superoxide and H2O2 production, influencing microbial-mineral coevolution and nutrient cycling. Their discovery challenges traditional views on nanomaterials' inertness in Earth systems.
Simulations show domino effects at up to 2°C global warming, increasing risk of irreversible climate change. Rapidly reducing greenhouse gas emissions is indispensable to limit risks of crossing tipping points.
The study proposes a coupling model of the five spheres of the earth system with the oxygen cycle as the core. Key findings include the link role of the oxygen cycle in shaping our current habitable Earth and its effects on modern and geological time scales.
The study revealed that ultrafine particles smaller than 100 nm in diameter play a significant role in haze formation, visibility, and air pollution. The researchers suggest controlling precursor vapors to alleviate the problem.
A model study suggests that abrupt shifts in ocean currents could occur decades before anticipated due to rate-induced tipping. This could lead to drastic changes in agriculture, biodiversity, and the economy. The findings highlight fundamental limitations in climate predictability and emphasize the need to limit CO2 emissions.
Sun and Tong's project aims to make AI workflows more shareable and replicable. The researchers will further develop the open-source GeoWeaver system into a stable operational platform for NASA's EOSDIS archive.
Scientists from the University of Helsinki investigated atmospheric particle formation in the Arctic, discovering how Arctic warming and sea ice loss strengthen processes that emit different vapors to the atmosphere. This study provides crucial insights into the consequences of global warming.
The new HPE-Cray EX supercomputer will be a 19.87-petaflops system, 3.5 times faster than the existing Cheyenne supercomputer, and will enable researchers to conduct advanced studies on climate change, severe weather, and other Earth system processes.
A study published in Nature Climate Change finds that climate change will alter the position of the Earth's tropical rain belt, with a northward shift expected in the Eastern Hemisphere and a southward shift in the Western Hemisphere. This shift may lead to increased drought stress in some regions and intensified flooding in others.
A recent study found that Asian water towers will struggle to quench the thirst of downstream communities despite more river runoff brought on by a warmer climate. Rising water demands from the growing population will outweigh warming in determining water scarcity in the Indus and Brahmaputra basins.
A new study explores long-term if-then-scenarios to quantify the effects of Arctic summer sea-ice melting on global warming. The research reveals that complete Arctic sea-ice melt could lead to an additional 0.2°C of warming, threatening climate goals.
The August Complex of fires has grown to over 1,000,000 acres burned, making it the largest fire in California's history. The complex is 58% contained and poses a significant threat to structures in several areas, including Hidden Valley and Wildwood.
A team of Penn State researchers suggests that simpler models may be a better choice for determining some climate risk due to their ability to better sample uncertainties. This approach can help decision-makers quantify risks more effectively, even if it means sacrificing some detail in the model.
A new paleoclimate record covering the last 66 million years has significantly improved our understanding of climate variability and predictability. The study confirms four distinct climate modes: hothouse, warmhouse, coolhouse, and icehouse.
A new method combines Deep-Learning, hydrological models and Earth observations to quantify small as well as large-scale changes to the water storage on the South American continent. The study shows that the method is particularly reliable for tropical regions, where rain forests and vast surface waters are located.
The application of data assimilation in Earth system science has improved observability and predictability of the Earth system. The methodology of data assimilation reflects the harmony between reason and experience.
The Apple Fire in Banning Canyon, California, has consumed 20,516 acres and is burning in an area with not had fire activity in recent years. NASA satellites provide critical information on the fire's spread, detecting actively burning fires and tracking smoke transport.
Climate models struggle with reducing uncertainty in global temperature predictions and predicting tipping points, which pose a major threat to modern societies. A new review outlines a more effective approach to perform better climate simulations and extract more information from models.
George Mason University Associate Professor Cristiana Stan will collaborate with the US Department of Energy on a climate modeling project. She will provide program expertise in E3SM, a state-of-the-science Earth system model addressing energy sector challenges.
Researchers develop a deep-learning model to estimate fine detail of fuel moisture levels across 12 western states, improving fire studies. The new dataset could help reveal areas at greatest risk and chart candidate locations for prescribed burns.
New technologies, such as artificial meats, 3D printing, and vertical agriculture, hold promise for transforming the global food system. The study identifies an arsenal of highly promising options that can be tailored to different institutional and political contexts.
Plant breathing reduces Arctic land surface temperature, but rising CO2 accelerates warming by closing stomata and reducing transpiration. This study confirms the physiological forcing effect on Arctic climate system, estimating that 10% of greenhouse effect is caused by plant stomatal closure.
The new E3SM model can capture complex climate-generating behavior with high resolution, simulating regional climate and built infrastructure. It will help predict how changes in climate and water cycling respond to increasing CO2.
A recent study by Oak Ridge National Laboratory found that tree budburst, or the timing of leaf emergence, is becoming more variable in hotter regions due to rising temperatures. In contrast, cold climates show a more stable pattern of budburst year-over-year.
The Orroral Valley Fire has burned 62,988 hectares of land in just one week, with the Australian Capital Territory under a State of Emergency. NASA satellites detected the fire and provided critical information to aid in firefighting efforts, saving all structures in the region.
A new study using a neural network-driven Earth system model predicts an increase in phytoplankton biomass in low-latitude regions by 2100. The team found that the traditional assumption of declining biomass due to climate change is not supported, and instead, phytoplankton may actually thrive in warmer waters.
The study reveals that interactions between planetary boundaries amplify human impacts, particularly in climate change and biosphere integrity. Reducing pressure on one boundary can lessen pressure on others, offering a win-win solution for sustainable development.
A new modelling strategy is required to address challenges in understanding global warming, with a focus on reducing biases through physically based models. International initiatives are needed to co-develop modelling systems that exploit emerging technologies and exascale computing.
An international team of researchers has been awarded a $10 million European Research Council Synergy Grant to develop machine learning algorithms for enhancing Earth observation datasets. They will also develop machine-learning-based parametrizations for clouds and land-surface processes to improve climate modeling.
Scientists at University of California, Irvine predict that Valley fever will double in size this century due to climate change. The fungal infection is expected to become widespread in previously unaffected areas across the western U.S., including Montana, Nebraska, and Wyoming.
Researchers aim to understand how microorganisms respond to drought, potentially shedding light on adapting to climate change. Studying the microbiome of dead plant matter in Southern California fields, they found that certain bacteria and fungi shift composition in response to moisture deprivation.
A new study reveals that hunter-gatherers, farmers, and pastoralists made significant changes to the planet by 4,000 years ago. This finding suggests a longer history of human impact on the environment than previously thought.
The Stanford Woods Institute has awarded grants totaling $16 million to support research projects addressing major environmental challenges. These interdisciplinary initiatives aim to combat air pollution, mine wastewater for valuable resources, reduce food waste, and investigate the causes of chronic kidney disease.
The University of Texas at San Antonio will develop a new interdisciplinary Center for Advanced Measurements in Extreme Environments (CAMEE) with a $3 million NASA grant. CAMEE will investigate extreme conditions such as ocean and polar warming, and study hypersonic speeds.
A new study reveals that carbon budgets for limiting warming to 1.5°C are more uncertain than thought, with underestimated Earth system feedbacks such as permafrost thawing potentially reducing remaining budgets by 100 GtCO2. The research highlights the importance of considering these factors in climate policy-making.
A UCI-led study finds that 'committed' carbon dioxide emissions from existing infrastructure could reach up to 658 gigatons of CO2 if not phased out. This would jeopardize international climate goals set by the Paris accords unless drastic measures are taken.
The University of Maryland will lead a five-year research effort with NOAA, focusing on satellite services, Earth system observations and services, and Earth system research. CISESS aims to improve weather and climate forecasts, build resilience to extreme events, and provide capabilities for data access and management.
Researcher Nadine Mengis investigates climate engineering methods' impact on interconnected variables, including solar radiation management and ocean alkalinity enhancement. Her study highlights the need for a holistic approach to understanding these projects' effects.
A new root algorithm developed by Beth Drewniak improves the Energy Exascale Earth System Model's ability to simulate vegetation growth and respond to changes in resources. The dynamic root model addresses both water uptake and nitrogen allocation, enabling plants to thrive in varying environmental conditions.
Tropical volcanic eruptions can shift the intertropical convergence zone, affecting global patterns of tropical cyclone likelihood and intensity. The effects can last for up to 4 years after large eruptions.
A study by German scientists uses AI to enhance climate and Earth system models, improving predictions for extreme events and seasonal changes. By combining physical modeling with machine learning techniques, researchers aim to create more accurate models that capture complex dynamic processes.
A UCI/JPL study found Antarctica losing six times more ice mass annually now than 40 years ago, resulting in a half-inch rise in global sea levels. The accelerated melting is attributed to climate change and warm ocean water, with East Antarctica contributing significantly to the total ice mass loss.
A study found that interventions in dog populations could significantly reduce rabies transmission in rural China. The research analyzed genomic and epidemiological data from a re-emerging rabies outbreak in Yunnan, China, and estimated transmission rates between dogs and humans.
Global fossil fuel emissions are projected to reach a record high of over 37 billion tons in 2018, driven by growing energy demand and non-fossil source emissions. Renewables have largely come online as add-ons to fossil fuels, but more needs to be done for them to displace fossil fuels.
Typhoon Kong-rey is moving northwest and intensifying steadily, peaking at 135 knots before weakening. The storm will eventually veer into the Yellow Sea after three days.
Dr. Michael Mann receives AGU Climate Communication Prize for his efforts in promoting scientific literacy and fostering understanding of climate change through various media outlets and public engagement initiatives.
Researchers propose a new perspective on the Gaia hypothesis, integrating human consciousness into the planet's self-regulation system. This 'Gaia 2.0' framework suggests that humans can deliberately limit their impacts on the environment through conscious choice and technological advancements.
A new study warns that reducing greenhouse gas emissions may not be enough to avoid a 'Hothouse Earth' state, where temperatures could rise by 4-5°C and sea levels increase by 10-60m. The authors call for accelerated transition towards an emission-free world economy.
The regional climate modeling community has made significant progress in developing regional earth system models (RESMs), which account for the atmosphere, ocean, land, sea ice, and other key components. Researchers highlight the need for further development, including the inclusion of human factors and interactive biosphere elements.
A new climate study argues that economic optimization alone is insufficient to avoid the tipping point of critical Earth system elements. The concept of profit maximization can lead to outcomes that harm people or the environment, even with discounted future costs.
Research by Tokyo Institute of Technology team found alpha-hydroxy acid polymers can form easily under conditions prevalent on early Earth, aiding in living system formation. The study suggests these polymers may have provided the toolkit for life's origin.
The Energy Exascale Earth System Model (E3SM) simulates the Earth's atmosphere, oceanic, land and ice components together. The new model can help researchers anticipate decadal-scale changes that could influence the U.S. energy sector.
A study published in Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences found that drowning caused 80% of Harvey deaths, with most fatalities occurring outside the 100-year floodplain. The researchers suggest improving flood maps and communication to reduce risk during future floods.
Michael Mann, a leading climate scientist, has been recognized with the AAAS Public Engagement with Science Award for his extensive outreach efforts to communicate the science of climate change. He has collaborated on children's books, testified before Congress, and used various media to share his research.
Scientists are sounding the alarm on climate tipping points, warning that the planet is approaching critical thresholds that could lead to abrupt and irreversible changes in the Earth system. The World's top climate scientists have released a statement emphasizing the need for rapid action to avoid these tipping points.
A new integrated Earth System Model (iESM) reduces uncertainties in future climate predictions by coupling physical, biological processes with human activities. The iESM is being used to explore interactions among the physical climate system, biological components of the Earth system, and human systems.
A new study published in Earth System Dynamics finds that Antarctica's slower warming pace may be due to its high land height. The research suggests that if Antarctica were flat, it would warm more quickly due to changes in heat transport by the atmosphere and oceans.